Yo, Mitt! Release your tax returns already

Minneapolis, Minnesota


Mitt, Mitt, Mitt. 


Running for office can be hard. I know – did it once. 


Anyone who believes there is not a free market at work has never thrown his or her hat in the ring to stand for election. Messy and tough as it can be, that's democracy. 


The world is run by those who stand up and show up. Yet, while I believe every citizen should stand and file for some office at least once in a lifetime, no one has to do so.


No one held a gun to the roof of your car and said "Make a run for the White House or the dog gets it!"


People who seek responsibility and accountability in public life don't get to make the rules. Hell, there are no rules. 


I ran only for the Minneapolis city council. There were no requirements or expectations that I publish my tax returns. I would have if necessary. 


You want us to trust you with our lives as our commander in chief, but you won't trust us and follow the time-honored conventions pioneered by your own father. 


Don't release your returns for me. I'm going to vote for the guy your campaign surrogate said needs to 'learn how to be an American.' 


It's time for you to learn how to be that. In this democratic republic, the people get to decide based on the merits of the case. If you want to win, you have to ante up the returns and answer Forbe's 35 Questions Mitt Romney Must Answer About Bain Capital Before The Issue Can Go Away. 


If you don't, that sucking sound you hear isn't from all the jobs you allegedly allowed to be outsourced overseas. It's from your candidacy circling the drain.


John McCain said today that the multiple years of tax returns you released to him in 2008 had no bearing on his selection of Palin as his running mate. In so many words, he said she simply was a better candidate than you, Pawlenty, and all the other possibilities. 


You want to be the better candidate? You want to be the most powerful human on the planet? Start acting like it. Power knows how to be humble and vulnerable. Prove it.


Release your tax returns already.